Check It Out!

     During the entire month of February, library patrons may pay off all outstanding fines for overdue materials by donating non-perishable food items to the library, which will benefit the Canton Food Bank. Fines of any amount, excluding charges for lost or damaged materials, will be forgiven in full for patrons who come in and offer at least one (several, we hope) food item, such as canned goods, cereals, pasta, rice, coffee, bottled water, peanut butter and other items.
     Although there will be no reckoning of equivalency for the amount of food brought in relative to the amount of the fine, the library hopes people will be generous. All donations will be given to the Canton Food Bank to assist area residents.
     It is no accident that February is the month chosen for the amnesty program.  Donations peak in the months of November and December; by February donations and supplies are significantly diminished. The shelves need refilling and we ask our patrons to step up and help those in need.
     The February Fine Amnesty idea is not unique to Canton; it has been tried successfully elsewhere in Connecticut and in other states. Supported by the Town of Canton administration, the program aims to encourage patrons who have had long overdue items to return them, as well as allowing others to clear their records in a refreshing way, while helping the community at the same time.

In November Canton Public Library will resume Sunday hours.  The library will be open from 1-4 every Sunday starting November 3, 2012 through March 24, 2013.

     The Friends of the Canton Public Library are busy collecting and organizing donations for their September book sale, a process that began on June 20.  Over the summer they will be collecting books, music CD’s, recorded books, and DVD’s for their sale on September 8 and 9.  All those books that are spilling out of your shelves could find a new home and earn some money for the library in the process.  And of course your  donations will make the 2012 Friends Book Sale bigger and better than ever and will give you a tax deduction.
 
     Book and other items may be dropped off any time during library hours:  Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday and Saturdays from 10:00-1:00 through August 25.  The last day for dropping off books is Saturday, August 25.
 
     The Friends have been holding a book sale for over 30 years, beginning with a table at the Lions Club Flea Market, later moving to Joel Fried’s Funnybones at the Canton Green shopping complex, then to a booth on Sam Collins Day, and finally to the Canton Community Center in 2003.  Along with a change in location has come a huge increase in the number of items for sale.  And as technology has burgeoned and media have proliferated, the “book sale” has become more than just books.
 
     What hasn’t changed is the reputation that the Friends of the Canton Public Library have built over the years.  “Everybody says how organized we are.  We sort and categorize to the nth degree,” said Carol Stevens, who heads up the drive. 
 
     As a volunteer organization, the Friends are always looking for a few good volunteers, especially for help with the book drive, which requires constant and extensive sorting throughout the summer.  Anyone wishing to volunteer a few hours is asked to contact Carol Stevens by leaving a message at the library, 693-5800.  Training will be provided.
 
     The Friends emphasize that all donated items must be in good condition.  Books that are yellowed, ripped, tattered, highlighted, or underlined cannot be accepted for the book sale.  Magazines, encyclopedias, textbooks, the Time-Life series, computer books, condensed books, and VHS tapes will not be accepted. 
 
     CantonPublic Library is at 40 Dyer Avenue in Canton.  For information:  (860) 693-5800 or www.cantonpubliclibrary.org

Throughout the summer, the Friends of the Canton Public Library will be  collecting books, CDs, and DVDs for their sale on September 12 and 13.  The last day for dropping off items is Friday, August 28.  Items may be dropped off any time during library hours:  Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. 

The Friends have been holding a book sale for over thirty years.  With each year the number of donated books has grown considerably.  And as technology has burgeoned and media have proliferated, the “book sale” has become more than just books.

What hasn’t changed is the reputation that Canton’s book sale has burnished.  The sale stands out as being exceptionally user-friendly because the Friends of the Canton Public Library sort and categorize the donations throughout the summer.  The sorting makes it easy for book buyers to hone in on their particular interests.

The book sale’s co-chairs, Laura Hage and Carol Stevens, welcome volunteers who have a few hours available to help and who enjoy being in the company of books.  Anyone wishing to volunteer is asked to contact Carol or Laura by leaving a message at the library, 693-5800.  Training will be provided.

The Friends ask that all donated items be in good condition.  Magazines, encyclopedias, textbooks, the Time-Life series, computer books, condensed books, and VHS tapes will not be accepted.

In September the Book Sale will follow the same format as previously, with a preview sale on Saturday morning, popular with collectors and bibliophiles.  On Sunday there will be an opportunity to fill a bag for $5, popular with bargain hunters.  Organizers emphasize that the sale itself is not only indoors, but air-conditioned and handicap-accessible.  Those who can’t resist stocking up on books will be happy to know that porters are available to help transport books to vehicles.
 

Folks are counting their pennies these days, and Canton Public Library now has available another weapon in the arsenal for saving money.  Through the generosity of a patron, the library has received a “Kill-a-Watt” electricity usage monitor.

The device enables a homeowner to determine the power consumption of an appliance by the kilowatt-hour.  The electrical expense can be figured out by the day, week, month, or year.   The device also evaluates the quality of the electrical power being supplied by the utility company by monitoring voltage, line frequency, and power factor.  The unit features a large LCD display.

The Kill-a-Watt meter may be checked out from the library using your library card, just as you would check out a book.  The meter circulates for one week and is available at the Circulation Desk.  Any questions?  693-5800.